Photo: Apple
Apple plans to make some changes to its iPad lineup next year to better suit different customer needs, at least according to recent reports. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next iPad Air will feature an M2 chip and a larger second model, as previously rumoured.
Another reported change that Apple is considering is to discontinue the 9th-generation iPad, which has been overshadowed by the more expensive 10th-generation iPad since its launch last year. Gurman says this will allow Apple to “slowly phase out some of its older Pencils.” This likely means that the 2015 Apple Pencil will be retired once there are no more iPads with a Lightning port to connect it to.
Gurman expects the new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Air to debut in March, keeping the mid-range iPad on a two-year upgrade cycle. He also reports that the Air will have an M2 chip, while the Pro models will get the M3 chip. This will put the Air one generation behind the Pro in terms of processor power. However, this may not matter much for the Air or even justify giving it an M3 chip. Unless iPadOS undergoes major changes that enable iPads to handle more complex and demanding tasks, the OLED screen that is rumoured for the iPad Pro will be more appealing to most users than the type of Apple silicon chip inside.
Gurman also says that the new 12.9-inch Air will be compatible with the same Magic Keyboard that works with the iPad Pro. If that is true, it would make sense for Apple to equip the next iPad Air models with similar camera systems as the Pro models. Otherwise, it would look odd to have a keyboard case with a large square cutout for the camera on the Air’s small, round lens.
These are smart moves by Apple, even if they do not completely resolve the iPad’s confusion. The current iPads are too diverse and inconsistent. It would be easier to choose an iPad based on performance and features if other aspects, such as screen size, were more uniform or similar. For those who want a large tablet without caring much about display quality or refresh rate, the iPad Pro has been the only option—until the bigger Air arrives. Now, Apple just needs to sort out the iPad accessory situation.